Good to know
Good to Know
- The National Museum lacks air conditioning, so it can get stuffy in the galleries if there isn't a breeze.
- The National Museum visit follows a well-defined path through all galleries, with good descriptive signs in English.
- Combining your National Museum ticket with the Museum of Natural History offers better value.
- The Beira Lake is close to other Colombo attractions, including the main Gangaramaya Temple, so combining visits is recommended.
- Most historical sites and museums are concentrated in Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens), Colombo 01 (Fort area), and Colombo 02 (Beira Lake area), making them walkable or easily accessible by taxi/tuk-tuk.
- The National Museum's library is open to the public and has an extensive collection of books and manuscripts on Sri Lankan history and culture.
Must See Sites
Colombo National Museum
- Location
- Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Colombo 7
- Opening Hours
- Open 9am to 5pm daily, except during national holidays
- Practical Tips
- Plan to allocate a couple of hours for the visit. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothes as the museum is massive and there is no air conditioning. The main building has a fixed path, and once you enter, you must complete the circuit with no mid-way exits.
- Description
- Founded in 1877 by Sir William Henry Gregory, the British Governor of Ceylon, the museum is the largest museum in Sri Lanka and houses a vast collection spanning several centuries. Collections include ancient royal regalia and artifacts, colonial memorabilia, and intricate carvings. Highlights include the regal throne and crown of the Kandyan monarchs, as well as an extensive collection of antique demon masks, sculptures, and Buddhist art.
Admission
- Photo Permit
- LKR 250
- Adult Foreigner
- LKR 1,000
- Child Foreigner
- LKR 500
Combined With Natural History
- Adult Foreigner
- LKR 1,200
- Child Foreigner
- LKR 600
Independence Memorial Hall
- Location
- Independence Square, Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens)
- Practical Tips
- Surrounded by peaceful gardens, it's an ideal spot for a stroll, morning jog, or photography.
- Description
- Built in 1948 to honor Sri Lanka's independence from British rule. Its architecture, inspired by the ancient Audience Hall in Kandy, features elegant stone columns, lion statues, and intricate carvings that showcase the island's heritage. A small museum inside provides deeper insight into Sri Lanka's independence history.
Galle Face Green
- Location
- Southern coastal area, Colombo Fort
- Practical Tips
- Attracts many people especially at dusk; popular place for leisure and recreation; when the sun goes down, food stalls become busy.
- Description
- A 12-acre public space overlooking the colonial-era Galle Face Hotel, flanked by a promenade and narrow beach; a popular spot for strolling, picnicking, and kite flying. About 500 metres long, it was first created in 1859 by the British for horse racing.
Old Parliament Building
- Location
- Colombo Fort, near Galle Face Green
- Practical Tips
- Though not open to the public, its stately exterior remains a popular attraction for visitors who often admire and photograph it from the Galle Face Green. Photography is banned at the Old Parliament Building, and authorities are strict about preventing tourists from taking photos.
- Description
- Built in 1930, the building served as the center of legislative activities during a crucial period leading up to Sri Lanka's independence and served as the legislative seat until 1983. Showcases impressive neo-classical architecture with grand columns and intricate detailing, a striking landmark in the Colombo Fort area. Since parliament relocated to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte in 1983, it has served as the Presidential Secretariat, hosting important state functions.
Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple
- Location
- Beira Lake, Colombo 2
- Admission
- Free but donations welcome
- Opening Hours
- Daily 06:00 – 22:00
- Practical Tips
- Rather than huge, open spaces and tranquility, expect huge collections of fascinating artifacts and crowds.
- Description
- The 120-year-old Gangaramaya is not a typical Sri Lankan temple; situated in bustling inner-city Colombo near the scenic Beira Lake, it is simultaneously a hugely popular tourist attraction, a place of worship and a learning and vocational training center. Architecture features a heterogeneous mix of Sri Lankan, Thai, Indian, and Chinese styles. Its most distinguishing feature is its museum that holds an innumerable number of Buddha statues from all over the world along with statues of Hindu gods, old watches, Dutch coins and many other antique collectibles.
Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
- Location
- Situated 10km away from the heart of Colombo
- Practical Tips
- This temple is about a 25 minute drive from the city centre.
- Description
- One of the most sacred Buddhist temple sites in Sri Lanka, believed to have been visited by the Buddha on his third visit to the country; its history dates back to before 500 BCE. The highlight is the stunning image house containing elaborate frescoes depicting scenes from the Buddha's life and significant events in Buddhist history in Sri Lanka.
Colombo Fort Area
- Location
- Colombo 01
- Practical Tips
- The Old Colombo lighthouse, World Trade Center and The Clock Tower are some major attractions located in this district.
- Description
- A historical and commercial hub with colonial-era buildings. Walk through this old neighborhood packed with history and beautiful colonial buildings and markets.
Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (The Red Mosque)
- Location
- Pettah, Colombo
- Description
- Known for its unique red and white candy-striped exterior. Hidden down an unremarkable side street amongst the chaos of Pettah's streets, this architectural highlight captivates those who lay eyes on its jaw-dropping facade.
Viharamahadevi Park
- Location
- Colombo 7 (Cinnamon Gardens)
- Description
- The largest and most prominent public park in Colombo, named in honour of Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugemunu, a legendary hero in Sri Lankan history; renowned for its beautifully landscaped gardens, wide-open spaces, and flowering trees. A standout feature is the golden Buddha statue that greets visitors at the park's entrance.
Pettah Market
- Location
- Pettah, Colombo
- Description
- Atmospheric market in the bustling Pettah area. World famous street market that brims with the scent of spices and herbs.
National Art Gallery
- Location
- Cinnamon Gardens near Viharamahadevi Park and the National Museum of Colombo
- Description
- Located in Colombo, the National Art Gallery showcases a diverse range of Sri Lankan art, from ancient crafts to contemporary pieces. The building consists of a three wing gallery space: the main gallery has a permanent collection of portraits and landscapes and the two adjoining wings display temporary exhibitions by Sri Lankan artists.
Colombo Dutch Museum
- Location
- Colombo 01
- Opening Hours
- 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Description
- A three centuries old Dutch manor house; a two storied house cum museum that displays objects from the beginning of Dutch occupation including Dutch antique items such as swords, clothing, porcelain, mediums of exchange, furniture, ancient maps and documentation of trades.
Admission
- Adult
- LKR 500
- Child
- LKR 300
Colombo Port Maritime Museum
- Location
- Near Colombo Port
- Opening Hours
- 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM
- Description
- The old museum was built in 1676 and has been renovated several times; one of the popular tourist places that preserves and exhibits various historical artifacts and evidence relating to Sri Lankan maritime industry and port. Houses a collection of sculptures of various historical personalities like King Vijaya and amazing ship models.
Admission
- Adult
- LKR 300
- Child
- LKR 150
AI-generated estimateData refreshed September 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this history, museums & sightseeing research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.tripadvisor.com
- 2.viator.com
- 3.pocketwanderings.com
- 4.lonelyplanet.com
- 5.trawell.in
- 6.holidify.com
- 7.wandertropics.com
- 8.sotc.in
- 9.thrillophilia.com
- 10.tusktravel.com
- 11.lugaresincertos.com
- 12.mindtrip.ai
- 13.amazinglanka.com
- 14.amazinglanka.com
- 15.lakpura.com
- 16.travelsetu.com
- 17.travelandtourworld.com
- 18.tripadvisor.com
- 19.holidify.com
- 20.en.wikipedia.org
- 21.wanderlog.com
- 22.tripadvisor.com
- 23.visitcolombo.com
- 24.visitcolombo.com
- 25.visitcolombo.com
More About Colombo
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.